How to Create Killer Packaging for Your Products Affordably

If you’ve ever bought anything from a store just because its packaging looked good, you are not alone. A 2018 survey revealed that packaging design influences the buying decision of a whopping 72% of American consumers. Surprised? Hold on to your seats. According to the same study, the packaging materials you use matter to 67% of the respondents.

In short, your packaging is as important as the product itself. If you want your products to stand out on the shelves, on people’s doorsteps, and under the Christmas tree, keep reading and take notes.

Importance of Product Packaging

Gone are the days when packaging’s sole purpose is to contain and protect its contents. Nowadays, many businesses recognize the important role it plays to the whole brand, especially in retail stores where most customers are left to shop by themselves. And then there’s social media, too. Even the most straightforward unboxing video is viewed by thousands, if not millions, of potential customers worldwide.

Your packaging doesn’t just have to be eye candy, it must be informative and helpful too. Customers should either know what they’re looking at in a glance or the box has to be exciting enough to unwrap, if you’re playing at a surprise.

Parts of Product Packaging

As you start sketching your design ideas, consider these details:

Brand Identity – Include your brand name and logo so customers can easily know it’s you. Don’t forget to throw in your brand colors in the overall design; go bold or go subtle, the choice is yours!

Product Name – This is perhaps the most significant part of your product packaging. A good product name is one that customers can easily relate to. Give your product a distinct identity by taking the time to come up with a unique name.

Product Description – This is your response to the question. "Why should I buy this product?". Go the extra mile by explaining how this product solves a problem instead of listing features. If you have an opportunity to tell a story through a short copy, seize it.

Other information that you need to include are the product weight and instructions on how to use. And don’t forget the ingredients and expiration dates if you’re selling food, wellness items, or any perishables.

Packaging Design Tips to Get Your Product Noticed

We’ve tackled the significance of product packaging and the elements that should be in it. The next step is to come up with a design that would make customers add your product to their cart. Here are helpful tips to make your product the star of any display:

Be straightforward. When shoppers see your product on the shelves, they should not need to figure out what’s inside the packaging. This doesn’t mean you need to keep the design simple or minimal; just be sure that it clearly communicates your brand and your product. This goes for your font choice as well – don’t make your potential customers squint just to read what’s on the label.

Think outside the box. Use pouches. Keep in mind that your product will be beside similar items that also claim they’re the best. You can’t just slap on a witty one-liner in your packaging design and call it a day.

Are there household names selling the same products? Check customer reviews and forums to see if there’s any feedback on their packaging. You can also visit your local supermarket to see the competition firsthand. Take note of their style, the colors they use, and the materials that makes up their packaging. If most of them use boxes as product packaging, why not try out pouches?

Make it personal. You don’t need to wait for the holidays to incorporate gift tags, tissue paper, or ribbons with your packaging. Add these accents year-round so customers automatically reach for your products whenever they need to buy a present! Since there are printing shops with no minimum order quantity for packaging and boxes, why not print several designs in small batches?

Use high-quality materials. Paper and cardboard are now the go-to choices for product packaging. After all, these two are more sustainable and have a more premium feel compared to plastic. Paper and cardboard also protect the contents better during transit. Just make sure that you measure your products properly for a snug fit.

Make it ready for gifting. An easy way to tell if you are satisfied with your own packaging design is to ask yourself, “How would I feel about receiving this as a gift?” If you can’t even convince yourself to get excited at the thought of unwrapping your own product, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Consider premium add-ons such as special finishes or embossed logos to make it stand out more!

Where to Design Custom Product Packaging Online

You don’t need professional training to create custom packaging designs. Here are a few websites you can check out – some of these even have templates to help you get started!

NextDayFlyers
NextDayFlyers is an online printing company that caters to all types of businesses. It has a built-in Online Designer, a tool equipped with a wide range of features for creating custom artworks. You can also request a dieline template file compatible with external design software.

Canva
Canva has thousands of product packaging templates that anyone can customize for free. You just need to sign up for an account to use the website’s host of editing features. They also offer paid memberships which come with more complex editing tools such as background remover and premium templates.

Visme
Use Visme’s box and paper bag mockups to see how your packaging design is going to look like in real life. You can tweak perspective, lighting, and shadow settings to make it as realistic as possible.

Related Reads

Packaging comes in different shapes and sizes. Whether you’re designing custom mailer boxes, product boxes, shipping boxes, or kraft pouches, you’ll surely find a way to stand out. If you have any more questions about custom product packaging, our design experts can help! You can also check out these related reads to learn more about custom packaging:

The Purpose of Packaging - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/what-is-packaging.html

The Complete Guide: Which Custom Packaging is Right for You? - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/the-complete-guide-to-packaging

Custom Packaging: Do's and Don'ts - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/packaging-dos-and-donts

Custom Packaging - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/custom-packaging

The History of Food Packaging: A Timeline - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/the-evolution-of-food-packaging-a-timeline.html

What is Industrial Packaging? - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/what-is-industrial-packaging

5 Ways Custom Packaging Can Be A Game Changer For Your Business - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/5-ways-custom-packaging-can-be-a-game-changer-for-your-business.html

Easy-To-Personalize Boxes - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/easy-to-personalize-boxes.html

How to Create a Custom Box Like an Expert Designer - https://www.nextdayflyers.com/how-to-create-a-custom-box-like-an-expert-designer.html